as in joining
to become a friend to (someone)
He befriended the new student.
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Recent Examples of befriending
The only problem with this whole Hollywood Cinderella story is that Simon is secretly harboring superpowers, a big no-no for the entertainment industry, and Trevor has some ulterior motives in befriending this real-life superhero who wants to play a superhero in a movie.
—
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Adapting the second installment, which was released in 2014, the movie continues the adventures of Hiccup (Thames), the dragon-befriending Viking who opened up his village to the possibilities of coexisting with the flying, fire-breathing creatures.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
Still, others are happiest at a considered farm stay or upstate hideaway, where the pleasure lies in quiet mornings and befriending animals on the farm.
—Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2025
After meeting and befriending a single mother and her three daughters, Wildhorn begins to open up and regains his passion for writing.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025
Then our hero traps and wounds a Night Fury, a uniquely evasive and dangerous breed of dragon, and winds up secretly befriending it.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
In the book, Ronson recalled befriending Ethan, who at the time was roommates in New York City with Simon Rex.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Players will also be able to create their own legacy by befriending villagers, creating alliances or causing general mischief.
—Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 11 Nov. 2025
In the latter, Ladd played Flo, a candid and cutting waitress who shows her softer side while befriending Ellen Brustyn’s Alice.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Adapting the second installment, which was released in 2014, the movie continues the adventures of Hiccup (Thames), the dragon-befriending Viking who opened up his village to the possibilities of coexisting with the flying, fire-breathing creatures.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
Still, others are happiest at a considered farm stay or upstate hideaway, where the pleasure lies in quiet mornings and befriending animals on the farm.
—Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2025
After meeting and befriending a single mother and her three daughters, Wildhorn begins to open up and regains his passion for writing.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025
Then our hero traps and wounds a Night Fury, a uniquely evasive and dangerous breed of dragon, and winds up secretly befriending it.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
In the book, Ronson recalled befriending Ethan, who at the time was roommates in New York City with Simon Rex.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Players will also be able to create their own legacy by befriending villagers, creating alliances or causing general mischief.
—Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 11 Nov. 2025
In the latter, Ladd played Flo, a candid and cutting waitress who shows her softer side while befriending Ellen Brustyn’s Alice.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befriending
Verb
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Prior to joining Cabot in 2019, Reed won four state championships while at El Dorado.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Left Arrow Right Arrow The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won't be joining the John Harbaugh sweepstakes or any head coaching search, for that matter, heading into 2026.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Among these dolphins, males with close social bonds spend much of their time together, often traveling, foraging, mating and resting in the same groups.—
Hasmik Kirakosyan,
Scientific American,
23 Jan. 2026
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Arizonans traveling east this weekend should plan for delays, monitor airline alerts and be ready for changing conditions as the storm evolves.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Combat these fears by connecting your negotiation to your identity and personal goals.—
Kwame Christian Esq,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Everyone planning, strategizing, connecting, feeding one another.—
Katherine Packert Burke,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Befriending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befriending. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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